Book: Spirituality in Architectural Education

The book, Spirituality in Architectural Education addresses many important philosophical, disciplinary, pedagogic, and practical questions. Grounded on the twelve-year-old Walton Critic Program at the Catholic University of America School of Architecture and Planning, this book offers solid arguments and insightful reflections on the role that “big questions” and spiritual sensibility ought to play in the architectural academy today.

SHARE THIS

How does spirituality enter the education of an architect? Should it? What do we mean by ‘spirituality’ in the first place? Isn’t architectural education a training ground for professional practice and, therefore, technically and secularly oriented? Is there even room to add something as esoteric if not controversial as spirituality to an already packed university curriculum? The humanistic and artistic roots of architecture certainly invite us to consider dimensions well beyond the instrumental, including spirituality. But how would we teach such a thing? And why, if spirituality is indeed relevant to learning architecture, have we heard so little about it?

“Spirituality in Architectural Education” addresses these and many other important philosophical, disciplinary, pedagogic, and practical questions. Grounded on the twelve-year-old Walton Critic Program at the Catholic University of America School of Architecture and Planning, this book offers solid arguments and insightful reflections on the role that “big questions” and spiritual sensibility ought to play in the architectural academy today. Using 11 design studios as stopping grounds, the volume takes the reader into a journey full of meaningful interrogations, pedagogic techniques, challenging realizations, and beautiful designs. Essays from renowned architects Craig W. Hartman, Juhani Pallasmaa, Alberto Campo Baeza, Claudio Silvestrin, Eliana Bórmida, Michael J. Crosbie, Prem Chandavarkar, Rick Joy, Susan Jones, and Daniel Libeskind open new vistas on the impact of spirituality in architectural education and practice. All this work is contextualized within the ongoing discussion of the role of spirituality and religion in higher education at large. The result is an unprecedented volume that starts a long-awaited conversation that will advance architectural schooling. ACSA Distinguished Professor Julio Bermudez, with recognized expertise on spirituality in architecture, will be the guide in this fascinating and contemplative journey.

Contributors:

Contents of the book

Other details:

  • Size: 8:5”x 11” (21.5cm x 27.5cm)
  • Pages: 269 pages
  • Authors names: Julio Bermudez (editor) with essays of architects Craig W. Hartman, Juhani Pallasmaa, Alberto Campo Baeza, Claudio Silvestrin, Eliana Bórmida, Michael J. Crosbie, Prem Chandavarkar, Rick Joy, Susan Jones, and Daniel Libeskind
  • Publisher: CUA Press, Washington, DC, USA
  • Price: INR 3285.00 / U$S 24.95 (same price for eBook and Paperback)
  • Availability: AMAZON and https://www.cuapress.org/9780813234816/spirituality-in-architectural-education/

Like what we publish?

AUTHOR

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Recent Posts

Vivek Rawal

Architecture, Power, and the Poor | “As a profession, architecture lacks moral position and has become complicit in the neoliberal dispossession of the poor.”—Vivek Rawal

Vivek Rawal argues that architecture—as a profession—is structurally aligned with political and economic power rather than social justice. He critiques how architectural education and practice prioritise developers and real estate over communities, turning housing into a market commodity. Even movements like sustainability and participation, he says, often become tools for elite consumption rather than genuine empowerment. True moral reform, according to Rawal, would mean architects relinquishing control and enabling community-led design and housing decisions.

Read More »
The Chunli Guesthouse, Shanghai, China by TEAM_BLDG 1

The Chunli Guesthouse, Shanghai, China by TEAM_BLDG

The Chunli Guesthouse, Shanghai, China by TEAM_BLDG’s response to nature, memory, and the spirit of place. The design takes “Catching” as its spiritual core, emphasizing the relationship between the architecture and the surrounding rice field landscape.

Read More »
Gender. Hysteria. Architecture. | What Might Care Look Like If It Were Not Afraid of Women? 4

Gender. Hysteria. Architecture. | What Might Care Look Like If It Were Not Afraid of Women?

What kinds of spaces exist where women can breathe without being watched? If hysteria no longer exists as a diagnosis, why does its architecture remain? Aditi A., through her research study as a part of the CEPT Writing Architecture course, in the third and last chapter of this series follows the spatial logics that developed to manage hysteria, which continue in the contemporary environments of care safety, and everyday life. If the diagnosis has been discredited, what explains the persistence of its walls?

Read More »
Kirtee Shah on architecture profession at CEPT University alumni meet

“… the way architecture [profession] is perceived and practised, it needs to move from the pedestal to the ground.”—Kirtee Shah

In his presentation at the CEPT Alumni Meet, in January 2026, Kirtee Shah offers “something to think about” for the architects and planners regarding the future of architecture profession. He urges architects to relearn and refocus on service, sustainability, and inclusivity while addressing urban chaos, poor housing, rural neglect, and climate challenges.

Read More »

Featured Publications

New Release

Stories that provoke enquiry into built environment

www.architecture.live

Subscribe & Join a Community of Lakhs of Readers

We Need Your Support

To be able to continue the work we are doing and keeping it free for all, we request our readers to support in every way possible.

Your contribution, no matter the size, helps our small team sustain this space. Thank you for your support.

Contribute using UPI

Contribute Using Cards